Red Wings' Samuelsson benched by busted finger

This is a rare sighting of oft-injured Red Wing Mikael Samuelsson. Minnesota Wild defenseman Clayton Stoner (4) is checked into the boards by Samuelsson during the first period this past Sunday. (AP Photo)

DETROIT – Just when Red Wings forward Mikael Samuelsson got back into the lineup, he’s out of it again.

Samuelsson will miss a minimum of two weeks with a non-displaced fractured finger according to Wings general manager Ken Holland.

Samuelsson was hit with a puck on his left hand in the morning skate by defenseman Ian White.

After playing in the first two games of the season, Samuelsson had been sidelined since with a groin strain. He has one assist and is a minus-2 in three games.

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Samuelsson will be reevaluated in two weeks.

The news is better on goalie Jimmy Howard, who left midway through the first period of Tuesday’s overtime loss to Nashville after having trouble seeing the puck.

“He got hurt in practice Monday when a guy drove the net,” Holland said. “He felt good all day leading up to the game and then in the game he felt blurry. When you have that you have got to go through all the tests.”

Howard gave up two goals on seven shots before being relieved by Jonas Gustavsson.

Forward Johan Franzen (hip flexor) is doubtful for Thursday’s home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Holland said he’s feeling better every day.

As for forwards Todd Bertuzzi and Darren Helm, there is still no set timetable for their return from back injuries.

Bertuzzi has been walking with a cane as late as Saturday.

Helm hasn’t skated since Jan. 26. Once he resumes skating it’ll be 7-10 days before he returns to the lineup.

Holland said defensemen Brendan Smith and Carlo Colaiacovo, both suffering from shoulder injuries, could be ready in seven days.

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